Cy-Fair ISD inducts seven into 2004 Wall of Fame

Published 7:00 pm, Monday, September 6, 2004

Dr. David Anthony, superintendent of schools, served as master of ceremonies for the festivities held Sept. 2 in the Board Room of the Instructional Support Center.

Six outstanding CFISD employees were honored for their professional achievements at the state and national level, along with the recipient of the "Friend of Education" award, which is presented to a community member who has made major contributions to enhance the educational experiences of CFISD students.

This year's "Friend of Education" award was presented to Dr. Diane Troyer, president of Cy-Fair College, for her involvement in the Cypress-Fairbanks Educational Foundation. Troyer was appointed founding president of Cy-Fair College in 2000 and is responsible for the vision, design and development of the college.

In addition to her demanding job as president of Cy-Fair College, she is very involved in her community and church. Troyer and her husband belong to a local Volksmarch walking club and enjoy walking so much that they seek out other available Volksmarch groups to walk with during their travels across the country. She is also a devoted grandmother to her 10-month-old grandson, Scott.

Bonnie Northcutt, director of instruction at Watkins Middle School, was honored for receiving the 2003 Billy Sills Award for Outstanding Service from the Social Studies by the Texas Council for the Social Studies. This is the second time Northcutt has been recognized for her achievements at a Wall of Fame ceremony.

Michelle Peterson, social studies teacher at Cypress Ridge High School, was inducted for being chosen the NOVA Teacher of the Year by the Texas Council for the Social Studies for 2003. The honor is given annually to a new teacher who has exhibited outstanding efforts and achievements in the classroom in the area of social studies.

Robert Dennison, biology teacher at Jersey Village High School, was honored for receiving the H-E-B Excellence in Teaching Award (2003 Lifetime Achievement Award) in recognition of his leadership and dedication to the teaching profession and for inspiring students to love learning. This is the fourth time Dennison has been honored at a Wall of Fame ceremony.

Jan Jones, director of health services, was inducted for having served as president of the Texas School Nurse Administrators' Association during the 2003-04 school year. During her term as president, Jones provided leadership to help meet the needs of the association by providing guidance and professional growth opportunities to promote school health services.

Mary Smith, coordinator of secondary social studies, was chosen Supervisor of the Year by the Texas Social Studies Supervisors' Association. This honor is given to an educator who best exemplifies the goals of the organization which are to promote the common interest of social studies in instruction, curriculum material research, teacher training, and social studies.

Tom Wurst, social studies teacher at Langham Creek High School, received the Distinguished Teaching Award from the National Council for Geography Education for 2003. This honor is given to individuals in recognition of their contributions to geographic education.

Now in its 10th year, the CFISD Wall of Fame program celebrates the accomplishments and successes of a handful of the district's best. In recognition of their achievements, portraits of the inductees are displayed in the foyer of the Instructional Support Center for one year, and then are moved to the "Hall of Fame" where their images join a growing list of outstanding educators that were honored in previous years.